Shloka 15
भीष्मस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति उपालम्भः
Bhīṣma’s Reproof to Duryodhana
शरशव्त्यूष्टिनाराचैर्निघ्नन्तो गजयोधिन: । भिन्दिपालैस्तथा शूलैर्मुद्गरैः सपरश्वधै:
sañjaya uvāca | śaraśaktyūṣṭhinārācair nighnanto gajayodhinaḥ | bhindipālaiś tathā śūlair mudgaraiḥ saparaśvadhaiḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Ang mga mandirigmang nakikipaglaban mula sa likod ng elepante ay nagpabagsak ng kaaway sa pamamagitan ng mga palaso, sibat, at pamalong bakal; gayundin sa bhindipāla, mga panaog na sibat, mga maso, at mga palakol. Ipinapahiwatig ng tagpong ito ang walang-humpay na karahasang may sari-saring sandata, kung saan ang husay sa digmaan ay lubos na iniuukol sa pagwasak, hindi sa pagpipigil.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it highlights how, in war, power and skill manifest as relentless harm through many instruments. In ethical reflection, it underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between kṣatriya warfare as duty and the tragic human cost of unrestrained violence.
Sañjaya reports intense fighting in which elephant-mounted warriors are striking down opponents using a range of weapons—arrows, javelins, heavy clubs, darts, spears, maces, and axes—emphasizing the ferocity and variety of combat on the battlefield.